Chinese, Ming Dynasty.1368-99. 1 Kuan, Issued banknote. 10 S...

Hammer

£190

Chinese, Ming Dynasty.1368-99. 1 Kuan, Issued banknote. 10 Strings of Cash Coins at top centre on front, red seal marks visible, Printed on grey mulberry paper. Fair to good condition with edge faults, thins and some of the printing scuffed, but still intact, rare and historic banknote. The notes were printed by the “Hung-wu Emperor” to create a national currency. The legends on the notes cites the authority of Hung-wu, the punishment for counterfeiting and reward for informants. The term Kuan (Quan, Kwan) relates to the Quan system of money (silver bars). This is the earliest form of printed currency available